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#157 The Human Advantage: What AI Can’t Replace in Sales and Marketing with Brigham Dickinson & Sivan Caspi Herner

Today we’re speaking with Brigham Dickinson and Sivan Caspi. Brigham is the founder of Power Selling Pros, where he helps customer service teams across industries transform ordinary calls into revenue-driving, customer-delighting experiences. Sivan is the VP of Marketing at CoolAutomation, bringing over 15 years of experience in building global brands, driving demand generation, and blending strategy with creativity in both B2B tech and consumer markets. In this episode, we dive into the power of customer experience and smart marketing, exploring how businesses can unlock hidden revenue, scale globally, and connect with people on a human level.
“By the time they’re done, they’re booking their calls, they’re wowing customers, they’re actively selling service agreements over the phone, and they finally get the attention that they need.” -Brigham Dickinson
“It’s all about human to human.” -Sivan Caspi Herner

About the Episode

Welcome to an in-depth exploration of one of the latest episodes of the NTM Growth Marketing Podcast, featuring two seasoned industry leaders: Brigham Dickinson of Power Selling Pros and Sivan Caspi, VP Marketing at Cool Automation. This episode is packed with energetic conversation about human-centered sales, evolving marketing strategies, the impact of AI, and tips for professionals in fast-changing industries.

This blog post breaks down the transcript in detail, pulling out actionable insights, standout quotes, behind-the-scenes stories, and practical ideas you can apply—whether you’re a business owner, marketing exec, CSR, technician, or just a fan of growth marketing.

Welcome to an in-depth exploration of one of the latest episodes of the NTM Growth Marketing Podcast, featuring two seasoned industry leaders: Brigham Dickinson of Power Selling Pros and Sivan Caspi, VP Marketing at Cool Automation. This episode is packed with energetic conversation about human-centered sales, evolving marketing strategies, the impact of AI, and tips for professionals in fast-changing industries.

This blog post breaks down the transcript in detail, pulling out actionable insights, standout quotes, behind-the-scenes stories, and practical ideas you can apply—whether you’re a business owner, marketing exec, CSR, technician, or just a fan of growth marketing.

Ready? Let’s dive in.


Meet the Guests: Brigham Dickinson & Sivan Caspi

The episode starts with a warm greeting and familiar banter between podcast host and repeat guest Brigham Dickinson, the energetic founder of Power Selling Pros. If you’ve listened before, you know Brigham’s style: casual, funny, and packed with practical wisdom.

“What’s my role at the company? Company clown.”

Brigham leads an organization dedicated to one-on-one, twice-monthly call handling training, aimed at transforming CSRs, dispatchers, and lead coordinators. They’ve been at it for 16 years and are currently pushing 1,400 trainees through a rigorous four-level certification process.

Sivan Caspi, joining for her first podcast episode, brings a global flavor. She’s the VP of Marketing at Cool Automation, a B2B SaaS company focused on control, management, and diagnostics of commercial HVAC systems—heavy on technology, but grounded in human connections.

Their conversation sets the tone: fun, personal, and straight-talking, aimed at industry insiders who want expert-level tips without jargon.

Power Selling Pros: Training That Changes Companies

Power Selling Pros isn’t just another coaching company. Their formula is simple but effective:

  • One-on-one training for call handling teams
  • Certification in four levels (up to 1.5 years to complete)
  • Focus on using trainees’ own phone calls for real-world feedback
  • Twice-monthly sessions
  • Specialized attention for CSRs, dispatchers, lead coordinators, and now, technicians and comfort advisors

The idea is to elevate the performance of employees who often fly under the radar. Brigham’s approach gives them the incentive and attention they need to love their jobs and get noticeable results—for themselves, their customers, and the business.

“By the time they’re done, they’re booking their calls, they’re wowing customers, they’re actively selling service agreements over the phone, and they finally get the attention that they need.”

Their client list stretches from major teams with over 60 CSRs (like Tommy Mello’s crew) to small businesses with just one. The success is real—from the numbers to the testimonials.

How Marketing Has Changed in 16 Years—And Why People Are the Real Difference

Brigham takes us back to 2008—a period before Facebook’s rise, a time of classic marketing channels:

  • Direct mail
  • Newspaper
  • Radio
  • TV

Then SEO and PPC crashed onto the scene, creating turbulence for marketers.

“In 2008, I had a marketing company … Newspaper, radio and TV. Four mediums. That’s all you had to worry about back then.”

But the core lesson is this: while mediums and technology evolve, the real differentiator remains people. Brigham’s business shifted from marketing to training when a plumbing client challenged him about lead quality. The real problem wasn’t making the phone ring—it was in converting those calls to booked jobs. Training made the difference.

  • A 20% jump in call conversions in just six weeks
  • Proof that solving the “people problem” trumps chasing the newest marketing silver bullet

“I started training their CSRs and we increased their call conversion by 20% in the first six weeks. Overnight success in 16 years!”

The Power of Training for CSRs and Technicians

Brigham dives deep into how most home service companies forget their CSRs and technicians. Owners tend to cheer for comfort advisors and sales superstars—the ones “bringing in the money”—while the backbone of the business gets ignored.

  • CSRs and technicians get little incentive, little training
  • Technicians are often pushed to become salespeople, which doesn’t fit their strengths or career goals
  • Smart training develops great communicators and customer service reps, not pushy salespeople

Brigham’s secret: teach them what “doing a great job” looks like.

He says, “How do you get kissed on a date?”—an analogy that makes the lesson stick:

  • Safety
  • Comfort
  • Fun

If you create that environment, trust develops naturally. And in business, trust equals more bookings, more sales, and happy customers.

“You don’t want to just go out and do the thing you were called out to do. You want to be able to go out and take a look at everything that’s going on inside the customer’s home and provide them options on everything.”

Technician Blind Spot: Why Options (Not Sales) Win Trust

Technicians are natural problem-solvers, not natural salespeople. The blind spot for businesses? Technicians fix the urgent issue and leave.

Here’s what that usually causes:

  • Homeowner calls back in two weeks: “It’s still not working!”
  • Trust is lost; homeowner thinks the company is “nickel and diming” them
  • Bad reviews, lost repeat business

Brigham’s simple fix:

  • Teach technicians to be curious. Examine the whole system.
  • Provide all options: replace one part, replace several, upgrade the system
  • Get the homeowner to a clear “yes” or “no”—no surprises
  • Don’t push; present options as a service

Homeowners want their problems solved completely. They don’t want to feel “sold.” They want choices.

“People love to shop, they love to buy, but they hate to be sold. And the way that you keep them from feeling sold is you give them option after option after option.”

This approach empowers technicians, builds trust, and boosts business outcomes.

Reducing Marketing Spend by Investing in People

Here’s an eye-opener for business owners and marketers: get your CSRs and technicians working at their best, and you’ll lower the need for massive marketing budgets.

For new companies, Brigham recommends going heavy on marketing—up to 10% of revenue. But for established brands?

  • Train your team to deliver world-class customer service
  • Turn inbound calls into fully booked schedules
  • Empower “non-sales” staff to generate sales, simply by helping

The result: a thriving business where marketing spend works smarter—not just harder. And it all starts with human attention, training, and consistent improvement.

“If you’ve got a long standing brand, time to work within, work with those CSRs, get them selling over the phone without them really realizing they’re selling … Under the guise of phenomenal customer service.”

Cool Automation: Marketing in a Niche Global Industry

Switching gears, the podcast pivots to Sivan Caspi, VP Marketing at Cool Automation. This segment is a goldmine for B2B marketers, especially those in specialized fields.

Cool Automation offers SaaS solutions for HVAC management and diagnostics. Their market is:

  • Super niche
  • Global—from Europe and North America to Australia, Japan, and Latin America
  • Their primary audience: HVAC professionals, facility managers, energy managers—each with different challenges and mindsets

Sivan’s daily mission? Understand those pain points, segment the audience by territory, and tailor creative solutions—because HVAC, let’s face it, isn’t the easiest category to jazz up.

“First of all is understanding what are those pain points and how can we solve it for our customers and then find the most exciting creative way to convey that to our customers.”

Human-to-Human Marketing: The Secret Sauce

Sivan brings a unique perspective from her background in both B2C and B2B:

  • Started in FMCG with global giants like Kimberly-Clark and Pernod Ricard
  • Moved into B2C SaaS, then B2B tech

Her revelation: the real innovation is “human to human” marketing, not business-to-business. No one wants to be boxed in—everyone wants their pain heard, problems solved, and connection with a relatable brand.

“I don’t market B2B, I don’t market to business, I market to people … how do I specifically solve their problem in a way that will create an emotional connection to the brand?”

Technicians, facility managers, energy managers—they’re people first. Sivan’s marketing is built around:

  • Clear, direct messaging—no fluff
  • Real emotional connection
  • Immediate understanding of what the company does and why it matters

She pokes fun at tech industry websites that are all buzzwords and no explanation. You know the ones: “Unlock potential, transform, revolutionize”—but what do they actually sell?

Innovative Strategies in B2B & B2C Marketing

How does Cool Automation make waves in a slow-moving sector?

Two-Layered Marketing Strategy

Layer 1: Brand Awareness

  • Building presence so the company is top-of-mind.
  • SEO optimization.
  • Heavy trade show presence—globally.
  • Getting noticed in conferences, not just online.

Layer 2: Account-Based Marketing (ABM)

  • Hyper-targeted campaigns for a small subset of relevant professionals (HVAC pros, facility managers, energy managers).
  • Customized messaging for each segment.
  • LinkedIn as the preferred channel.

The success comes from combining both: broad visibility with laser-focused outreach.

“When you work from the top on the top of mind and from the bottom on specific campaigns, it really hits the pain points of every target audience … you get to move the needle significantly.”

Offline and Online: Where Trade Shows Meet LinkedIn

Cool Automation doesn’t rely on just one channel. Their approach:

  • Offline: Conferences, trade shows, lunch-and-learns, customer events
  • Online: LinkedIn campaigns, SEO, PPC

Their brand stands out—literally. The purple branding pops against a sea of white and blue booths at every industry event.

“Every trade show they’re looking for the marketing person to say just people that are not really our customers … come to say how much we stand out because everyone’s booth are white and blue … so I tried to do everything different.”

In-person events generate brand ambassadors. Sivan’s team runs “Cool Masters” training in exotic locations—Miami, New Orleans, Vegas. The result?

  • Customers become brand ambassadors
  • Ambassadors buy more, spread enthusiasm, and drive referrals

AI, CSRs, and the Changing Role of Technology

Both Brigham and Sivan tackle the hot topic: artificial intelligence.

Brigham’s experience is candid:

  • Third-party call center books 93% of incoming phone calls using rigorous human process
  • Some staff tested AI-only call handling and came back: “It’s a nightmare.”
  • AI isn’t “there yet”—especially for customer-centric roles

Brigham’s balanced take: use AI for overflow (when no humans are available), then follow up with personal calls for better experiences and robust scheduling.

“We use AI ourselves with our call center. If all of our humans are on a phone call, we have AI that picks it up and then the humans call back afterwards … make sure the homeowner enjoyed the experience.”

Sivan adds the marketer’s view:

  • AI tools (ChatGPT especially) speed up research, drafting, SEO, and planning
  • AI helps marketing teams move faster and more efficiently
  • For complex, high-touch industries (like HVAC), AI hasn’t yet replaced human expertise

Favorite AI Tools for Marketers

Sivan’s favorite? ChatGPT. It serves as her “co-VP marketing” for research, content drafting, and idea generation.

The hosts toss in their own picks for video content creation:

  • VideoTap: For turning long-form video into SEO-ready blog posts, highlight clips, captions, keyword lists, tweetable quotes
  • Opus Clips: For creating editable 30–45 second video clips, with AI-generated B-roll features

“I think I have a really good partner. My co-VP marketing is ChatGPT … We work together a lot.”

If you need to create “visibility videos” or repurpose podcasts, these tools are worth exploring.

Standout Quotes

Let’s highlight the episode’s most memorable lines, ideal for framing your own marketing or management philosophy:

Brigham Dickinson: “People love to shop, they love to buy, but they hate to be sold. And the way that you keep them from feeling sold is you give them option after option after option.”

Sivan Caspi: “I don’t market B2B, I don’t market to business, I market to people … how do I specifically solve their problem in a way that will create an emotional connection to the brand?”

Brigham Dickinson: “If you’ve got a team running on all cylinders, you’ll get to the point where your technician will provide an option … or you can just replace it. I can call Comfort Advisor right now.”

Sivan Caspi: “The combination of knowing B2C and B2B made me realize that the real innovation is quite simple. It’s all about human to human.”

Closing Thoughts

What can we take from this episode?

The rise of AI, the explosion of digital channels, and evolving customer expectations mean marketing is changing—fast. But as Brigham and Sivan show, the heart of business is still people.

  • Invest in training: CSRs and technicians are often your best secret weapon
  • Focus on options and customer service, not just sales
  • Put as much effort in the “how” as the “what” of your product
  • Use both online and offline tools—trade shows, LinkedIn, AI tools, and good old human connection
  • Keep evolving, but never lose sight of the human element that drives trust and repeat business

So, what’s your next move? Whether you run a home service company, head up B2B marketing, or are leading a new team—take these lessons to heart, get your people fully engaged, and watch how everything else (marketing, sales, retention, reputation) follows.

And remember:

“It’s all about human to human.”

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The School for Humanity Archive

Explore our archive of NTM’s original podcast, The School for Humanity, created to discuss the greatest challenges humanity faces and help promote those who are helping to find solutions. 

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